Unmanned Antares space rocket explodes on lift-off after failed US launch
An unmanned Antares rocket exploded seconds after lift off from a commercial launch pad in Virginia on Tuesday, but officials said no one was hurt.
An unmanned Antares rocket exploded seconds after lift off from a commercial launch pad in Virginia on Tuesday, marking the first accident since Nasa turned to private operators to deliver cargo to the International Space Station, but officials said no one was hurt.
The 14-storey rocket, built and launched by Orbital Sciences Corp, blasted off its seaside launch pad at the Wallops Flight Facility at 6.22 p.m. EDT carrying a Cygnus cargo ship for the space station. It exploded in a huge fireball moments later.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known, said Nasa mission commentator Dan Huot.
Huot said there were no reports of any personnel in the vicinity of the explosion. An Accomack County Sheriff’s spokeswoman added, “As far as we know, all personnel are accounted for and everyone’s OK.”
Orbital Sciences said in a statement: “We’ve confirmed that all personnel have been accounted for. We have no injuries in the operation today.”
Nasa launch control said damage appeared to be limited to the launch facility and rocket. The Antares rocket has been launched successfully on four previous missions.
